How Can I Get Rid Of My Muffin Top (Suprapubic Fullness) After My Hysterectomy?

Q: I had a hysterectomy which led to me having a muffin top right above the pubic area. Is there any surgical procedures that can correct this?  

A: Your so-called muffin top is medically known as suprapubic fullness or lipodystrophy. It can commonly occur after a hysterectomy or even after an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck. It actually was always there to begin with but the creation of a scar across the upper suprapubic area, it appears. It is the result of some residual lymphatic obstruction caused by the scar as well as the tightness or indentation of the scar line. Between the scars and the mons, the suprapubic area looks rounder or more full. This can particularly appear after a tummy tuck because the stomach above the scar line is very flat while the suprapubic area is now fuller or more protuberant.

Reduction of the full suprapubic area can be done quite easily. Through the use of liposuction, excess fat is removed and the suprapubic fullness eliminated. This is a very successful procedure that is often done as a follow-up to a tummy tuck should the residual suprapubic fullness be a concern. It is a simple outpatient procedure that can be done under local anesthesia or IV sedation. There is virtually no pain after and no specific physical restrictions. There will be done some postoperative swelling and bruising which often works its way down onto the mons and labia. Within weeks, the swelling and bruising are gone. With the current use of Smartlipo, much of the bruising that used to occur with suprapubic liposuction does not occur.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis Indiana